Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis today gave the strongest indication yet that Arsene Wenger will sign a new contract to remain the club’s manager.

Wenger has repeatedly insisted his decision to extend his 17-year stay in north London will depend on the team’s performance this season with the club keen to tie him to a new three-year deal.

The Frenchman hinted earlier this month that he has already privately determined his future but this morning’s press conference at London Colney was the latest occasion on which he declined to confirm his intentions.

However, Gazidis was at Emirates Stadium later in the day to announce Puma as the club’s new kit manufacturer – ending a 20-year association with Nike – and he revealed the board’s confidence that Wenger will stay on beyond his current deal which expires at the end of the season.

“We have always supported Arsene,” he said. “The board has always been completely behind him, as has Stan Kroenke and Arsene has always been committed to the football club. So we are comfortable in the position and relaxed about it. Arsene will be extending with us and at the right time we will make that announcement.”

The club refused to officially reveal the financial details of their agreement with Puma but it is understood to be a five-year contract worth at least £150million, rising to around £170m depending on the team’s performance.

Arsenal’s shirt sponsorship agreement with Emirates was frontloaded to ensure the club could spend the money from the beginning of the contract – Puma’s deal takes effect on July 1 – and Gazidis suggested this latest arrangement is similarly structured.

He said: “The new partnership represents the biggest commercial deal in Puma’s and Arsenal’s history. The money from this deal will be available to the club from this summer. It represents an important step in our progression on and off the pitch.”